Territory



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. H. ALSTON.

BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER EOE THRASHING MAOEINES. No. 409,897. PatentedAug. 27, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. ALSTON, OF BUFFALO, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

BAND-CUTTER AND FEEDER FOR THRASH'ING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,897, dated August27, 1889. Application filed January 17, 1889. Serial No. 296,674. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ALSTON, of Buffalo, in the county of(lass and Territory of Dakota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Band-Cutters and Feeders for lhrashing-Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved device forcutting the bands upon bundles of grain and feeding the grain totlirashingmachines and the invention consists, generally, in theconstruction and combination hereinafter described, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figurel is an end elevation of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a transversevertical section'of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal vertical section.

In the drawings, 2 represents a suitable frame upon which the operatingparts of the device are supported. This frame is suitably secured to theframe 3 of the thrashing-machine.

Arranged at each side of the frame 2, and supported in suitable bearingsthereon, is a longitudinal shaft 5, to which aresecured a series ofknives 7. Each of the shafts 5 is provided with a beater-frame, which issecured to the shafts and is of a substantially X shape incross-section. To this beaterframe the knives 7 are bolted, as shown inFig. 2. A combined cutter and beater cylinder is thus formed. The shafts5 are rotated from a counter-shaft 9, which is provided with bevel-gears11, which mesh with similar gears 13 upon the shafts 5. The shaft 9 ispreferably driven by means of a belt 15, extending from a pulley on theshaft 17 of a thrashingcylinder. The shaft 9 may be provided with asuitable clutch 19, which is adapted to be operated by a lever 21.

Arranged at each side of the machine, beneath the shafts 5, is aninclined table 23, the inner end of which rests upon the sill of theframe 2, while the outer end is hinged upon a rod 25. The rod 25 issupported by the brace-rods 27 and 29, which are provided with hooks attheir inner end and engage suitable staples 31 in the frame of themachine. By this means the tables are removably supported upon the sidesof the frame, and can be removed at any time by simply disengaging thehooks upon the brace-rod from the staples 31.

Arranged within the frame 2 is an inclined table 35, the lower end ofwhich is close to the mouth of the thrashing-machine, in such positionthat the grain which passes over the table 35 passes under the cylinderof the thrashing-machine. The lower end of this table is supported uponlinks 37, and the upper end upon a crank-shaft 39. The shaft 39 isprovided with a pulley 41, and is adapted to be driven by suitablemeans. As the shaft 39 is rotated the upper end of the table is given avibratory movement, and thereby the grain which rests upon the table isfed toward the thrashing-machine.

For the purpose of retarding the grain upon the table 35 if it should befound to be feeding too fast into the thrashing-machine, I provide aseries of fingers 43, which are secured upon a crank-shaft 4.5, that isarranged in bearings beneath the table 35.

The shaft 45 is provided with a lever 47, by means of which the shaftmay be rotated and the fingers projected above the table or be drawndown so as to be close to the surface thereof. :By this means the speedwith which the grain will feed to the cylinder may be regulated.

A quad rant-shaped locking-plate 49 is preferably arranged in connectionwith the lever i7, by means of which the fingers may be secured in anydesired position.

Arranged above the table 35 is a swinging frame 51, preferably pivotedat its lower end upon a shaft 53 and carrying at its upper end ashaft55. Secured to the shaft 55 is a notched lever 57, which is adapted toengage a lug 59 upon the frame 2. Any one of the notches upon the lever57 may be engaged with the lug 59, and thereby the frame 51 may bebrought nearer to or farther from the table 35. A canvas belt 61,provided, preferably, with slats 63, extends around the frame 51 overthe shafts 53 and 55. The shaft 53 is preferably driven bya belt fromthe shaft 9. I also prefer to arrange upon the frame 2, at each side ofthe machine, the pivoted racks 67. These racks are adapted to turn downover the tables 23, as shown in Fig. 1, and thereby to prevent feedingof bundles to the machine. I prefer to connect a cord 69 to both of theracks 67. This cord may be extended to any suitable point, and it willpreferably be arranged so that'the engineer can operate it at pleasureto raise or lower the rack 67. He can thus lower the rack 67 when he isabout to stop the engine, and thus prevent clogging up the machine.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood. The bundles areplaced upon the inclined tables 23 and pass under the r0- tating knives7. The knives -cut the bands and at the same time the knives and theframe upon which they are mounted enter the bundle and spread it apart.The grain passes down onto the swinging feed-table 35 and from this tothe thrashing-machine. The knives 7 may be straight edge or curved, asshown in Fig. 3, or of other desired shape. By this means the bands ofthe bundles are cut and the grain will be regularly and evenly fed intothe thrashing-machine.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, in a machine of the classdescribed, with the main frame 2, and the revolving shafts provided withthe series of knives 7, of the inclined tables 23, arranged at each sideof the main frame and having their lower ends resting upon said frame 2,the rods 25, extending transversely and supporting the upper ends ofsaid tables, the inclined brace-rods 27, extending to the frame belowsaid tables, pivoted to said rods 25 and provided with hooks engagingstaples upon said frame 2, and the inclined bracerods 29, extending tothe frame above said table, and also provided with hooks engagingstaples upon the frame, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the inclined tables 23 and knives 7, of therack 67, pivoted above said tables and arranged to cover said tables,and the cords 69, secured to said racks, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day ofDecember, 1888.

WILLIAM H. ALSTON.

In presence of- A. 0. PAUL, A. M. GASKILL.

